What is a Bengal Cat?
Bengal Cat is a cat breed that was created from the domestic tabby cats with Asian Leopard Cats. They look wild but are good-tempered cats.
In the United States of America, there are some legal restrictions regarding the ownership of a Bengal Cat in some states like New York, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Seattle, etc.
Legal restrictions or legal complexities are present in countries like the United Kingdom and Australia regarding this breed.
If you want a cat that is an agile, beautiful, highly energetic, highly intelligent, talkative, and friendly cat, then Bengal Cat is the best pick for you. They are not only cute and docile, but they have a wild DNA in them. Don’t look nervous or scared, and we brought you some fascinating Bengal Cat facts for you so that you can learn about this adorable breed. Without much ado, let us begin…
Bengal Cat Facts 1-10
1. The origin of the Bengal Cat started with human’s fascination with the wild cat’s beauty. From there, efforts to produce a domestic breed out of a wild cat started, and the result is Bengal Cat.
2. In the 1960s, a breeding program started in the United States. Breeders allowed Asian Leopard cats to mate with Domestic Tabby cats (some say that even Abyssinians and Egyptian Maus were also used).
3. The breeding program was temporarily suspended, and then in 1981, it was restarted by Jean Mill and Dr. Wilard Centerwall.
4. You may ask why this cat breed is named Bengal Cat? It is because the wild partner, the Asian Leopard Cat’s scientific name is Prionailurus bengalensis. Hence, they took the word Bengal from there.
5. Bengal Cat was an extremely controversial breed. They are still a controversial breed to date. Most of the concerns arise because people believe that they are more wild cats than domesticated ones.
6. However, it is to be mentioned that Bengal Cats that are bred and sold or put for adoption are either F4 (fourth generation) or F5 (fifth generation) Bengal Cats. Cat registries don’t allow Bengal Cats that are closely related to their wild parents.
7. It is common knowledge that most cats hate water. But Bengals love water. If you get a Bengal, don’t be surprised if it gets into the shower with you. If you close your bathroom door, then be prepared for the constant yelling of your beloved Bengal Cat.
8. Yesterday, we talked about Persians. They are super lazy. On the contrary, Bengals are super active and super intelligent, similar to Siamese. You need to provide your love, attention, and a lot of toys to keep them occupied and entertained. Puzzle toys that stimulate the brain work better for Bengals.
9. Bengals are extremely good at climbing and jumping. They can jump over three times their height! They are good climbers too and can hide at places you never thought they would be.
10. Bengals can learn tricks easily. As they are super intelligent, they are one of the easiest cats to train. You can teach your Bengal to play fetch. You can even teach them to on and off the switches. But be careful because they may do it all night or force you to give them treats or food late at night.
Also Read: 45 Maine Coon Facts
Bengal Cat Facts 11-20
11. It is one of the most amazing features/characteristics of Bengal Cats. Some Bengal Cat’s coat glitters. The fur is, in general, soft and has a beautiful marbled or speckled pattern. But some Bengals inherit the glitter gene. This gene gives their coat an iridescent look. A Bengal with this gene will kind of sparkle in the sunlight.
12. Bengals are thieves! Like other cats, Bengals steal everything and anything that they fancy in the house. They can make anything a toy. So, it is important to give them sufficient cat toys to keep them busy and keep valuables like documents, files, keys, etc., away from them.
13. Unlike other cats, Bengals love the leash. A Bengal can be given harness training even if it’s an adult. It is to be noted that Bengals need to be kept as indoor pets because of their amazing hunting skills. With a leash, your Bengal can enjoy the outdoors with being in your control.
14. Bengals are pretty vocal when they need something. They will let you know that they are hungry or they want to play. If you are thinking of getting a Bengal, know that they are vocal and demand a conversation.
15. Bengals are expensive! You may have to shell anywhere between $500 and $5000 for a cat (depending on the pedigree and other factors). You can always check out Bengal rescue groups if you are flexible with age and markings.
16. Did you know a British woman paid $50,000 for a Bengal Cat in the year 1990? They are called the ‘Rolls Royce’ of cats.
17. They are medium to large size cat. They weigh around 15 pounds or more.
18. Bengals are pretty alert. Nothing can escape from their watchful eye.
19. If you don’t give your Bengal enough attention, he/she may become a little destructive. They may on and off switches, pull CD’s off from your DVD player, etc.
20. Bengals are lap cats too! They like sitting on your lap.
Also Read: 30 Snow Leopard Facts
Bengal Cat Facts 21-30
21. Grooming your Bengal once a week is sufficient to distribute oil on the skin and remove hair.
22. Bengal Cats have an agile and muscular body. They have a broad head with large oval eyes. The ears are medium-sized to small. The neck is long and muscular. The legs are of medium length.
23. The hind legs are slightly longer than the forelegs. The tail is of medium length and is thick. It tapers at the end and is tipped in black. It has a spotted belly.
24. You can get various colors like brown tabby, black silver tabby, seal silver lynx point, and seal mink tabby. Patterns can be spots arranged randomly or horizontally, marbled, or horizontal stripes arranged over lighter fur.
25. Bengals gel well with children (especially school going given same energy level) and pets that treat Bengals with politeness and respect. They will happily play and make friends with dogs.
26. It is important to keep smaller pets like hamsters, birds, guinea pigs, rabbits, etc., away from Bengal because of their high prey drive. They are extremely precise with their hunting and may kill any bird or other animal with a single attack.
27. The first cat association to recognize them is the International Cat Association. It recognized them in 1991.
28. Earlier, they gave the breed an experimental status in 1983. Later the American Cat Fanciers Association, the United Feline Organization, and the Canadian Cat Association recognized the breed.
29. They have a lifespan of 10 to 16 years. They are 17 to 22 inches tall.
30. Some of the health issues that plague Bengal Cats are hip dysplasia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Progressive retinal atrophy, flat-chested kitten syndrome, distal neuropathy, etc.
Also Read: 22 Royal Bengal Tiger Facts
Sources: